Christie, embroiled in controversy over the September closing of the George Washington Bridge, had been up by 1 over Clinton in a Quinnipiac 2016 trial heat in December..

But Tuesday, a new survey, taken Jan. 15-19, gave the former Secretary of State 46 percent to Christie's 38 percent.

Independent voters have made the difference. They were 47-32 for Christie last month, but now give Clinton a 41-40 edge.

There's also new doubt Christie would make a good president. People are divided over that idea, while in November broke 49-31 in Christie's favor.

"New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie’s 2016 presidential drive is stuck in traffic, sideswiped by Bridgegate, the George Washington Bridge traffic scandal," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a statement.

Quinnipiac University national and state polls have shown Christie just ahead of Clinton.

"Today, she zips past him. But the Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary are still two years down the road," Malloy said.

The poll also found 73 percent have read or heard something about the bridge incident. Of that group, 50 percent say the scandal damages Christie's 2016 White House hopes, while 3 percent say it ends his chances; 2 percent say it helps his chances and 39 percent say the scandal has no impact.